Dodgers sign Clayton Kershaw to $215 million deal

After being among 146 major league baseball players to file for arbitration, Dodgers starting pitching ace Clayton Kershaw agreed to a blockbuster deal worth $215 million over seven years.

This officially marks the biggest deal in baseball history, according to USAToday. This contract would make Kershaw's annual salary $30.7 million, and it tops Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander's seven-year, $180 million contract.

Kershaw won his second National League Cy Young award in three years with a 16-9 record, 1.83 ERA and 232 strikeouts in 236 innings of action, according to CBSSports. He has led the majors in ERA in each of the last three seasons.

This contract solidifies the Dodgers' starting rotation for years to come with Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu under contract through 2018. Pending his physical, Kershaw will be locked up until he can opt out in five years.

The Dodgers are also reportedly a finalist to sign Japanese pitching phenom Masahiro Tanaka along with the New York Yankees. Even if Tanaka isn't signed by the Dodgers, Dan Haren, Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley will provide additional starting pitching depth for the Dodgers.

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